Edema refers to a build-up of fluid in the body. When too much fluid accumulates in the tissues, swelling of the legs, under the eyes and even the entire body are most common. Do you have swollen feet and you can't put on slippers? The reflection in the mirror scares you because you have bags under your eyes. Do not underestimate such symptoms! In this way, the body signals that something is wrong with it. What can swellings mean?
Edemaindicates excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues and cavities of the body.Edemacan be generalized or local (e.g. limited to one part of the body). Sometimes the swelling appears suddenly, but more often it develops insidiously - at first there is an increase in body weight, swelling of the eyes in the morning after waking up, and a feeling of tightness in the shoes at the end of the day. Slowly increasing swelling may become massive before the patient seeks medical attention.
When too much fluid accumulates in the tissues, swelling appears.
Edema - types, causes
Edemais usually accompanied by symptoms related to the underlying disease. What are the causes of edema? We often work on them ourselves, sitting for hours in front of a TV or computer, driving a car for many hours or overheating. Swelling is favored by sleepless nights and drinking plenty of alcohol in the evening.
Edema is also the first sign that something is wrong in the body. They most often accompany diseases of the kidneys, heart, protein malabsorption, and food allergies. They can be a reaction to drugs or substances contained, for example, in cosmetics. Under their influence, small fragments or the entire body may swell.
The most common types of edema are: unilateral lower limb edema, pasty lower limb edema, chronic symmetrical leg swelling, including ankle edema, as well as under-eye and eyelid edema, face edema, hand swelling.
Swelling of the limbs (legs) and diseases of the veins
Sudden, unilateral, unilateral swelling, usually in the lower limb, accompanied by pain, is characteristic of deep vein thrombosis. Sometimes there is redness, excessive warmth and tenderness.
Swelling in one leg suggests vein thrombosis. Pain under the knee is a sign that thrombophlebitis is developing.
In turn, with chronicvenous insufficiency develops unilateral or symmetrical chronic swelling of the limbs, brown discoloration of the skin, discomfort in this area, but without pain, sometimes skin ulceration. Often accompanied by varicose veins dilatation.
Swollen legs and heart failure
In heart diseases - such as heart failure - swelling is the result of an increase in pressure in the veins due to sodium and water retention in the body. Initially, the legs only swell in the evening, which is explained by exhaustion. If a dimple remains in the body after pressure, it means circulation is impaired. Another hallmark of swelling is that it is painless and pasty. As the disease progresses, the legs also swell in the morning. The accompanying symptoms are exertional dyspnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and widening of the jugular veins.
Pasty swellings and kidney disease
Such swelling may indicate problems with the kidneys. Often the first symptom is bags under the eyes. With the development of the disease, diffuse, so-called pasty swelling of the legs. This is because sodium and water are retained in the body.
The cause of the entire face swelling is sometimes glomerulonephritis, which is sometimes a complication of an upper respiratory tract infection. When we suffer from nephrotic syndrome, our entire body swells. Most kidney diseases are tricky and manifest themselves only in a change in the circadian rhythm of urination and the amount of urination, so any ailment should not be taken lightly.
According to an expertKrystyna Knypl, MD, PhD, internistSwelling of the calves
My legs, especially calves, have been swelling for some time. I have a sedentary work - could this be the reason? I don't wear high heels very often. Is it true that leg swelling may be related to the kidneys or their abnormal functioning?
Dr. Krystyna Knypl, internist: There are many reasons for lower limb edema - these may be issues related to a weakened heart rate, abnormalities in the work of the kidneys or insufficiency of the venous system. Staying in a compulsory position with lowered legs for many hours contributes to the condition of venous insufficiency. Wearing high-heeled shoes is unlikely to be related to the situation described. It is helpful to limit s alt in the diet and avoid foods preserved with sodium ion (cold cuts, cheese). However, the most important thing in your case is going to your family doctor or internist to find out the cause of the edema .
Edema and the thyroid gland
Even a few months after the hyperthyroidism has healed, swelling may appear on the eyelids and under the eyes. It is accompanied by double vision, dryness and redness of the conjunctiva.The help of an ophthalmologist is needed. The treatment of hyperthyroidism can also result in swelling of the calves called pre-shin. The changes disappear on their own after 1-2 years. With hypothyroidism, swelling appears on the lower and upper eyelids and on the hands. Gradually, it also affects the cheeks and the bridge of the nose and lips, the face seems to be puffy. Treatment is needed.
Edema and menstruation
Swelling of legs , eyes, hands in the second half of the cycle is a symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and there is nothing to worry about. To protect yourself from the feeling of general body swelling, it is enough to drink a lot and little s alt. Movement will also help - not too strenuous gymnastics, a long walk. And remember that estrogens keep water in the body - if you use birth control pills and you experience large swelling, see your doctor to change the preparation.
Edema and rheumatism
Most rheumatic and degenerative diseases are accompanied by swelling of the knee and elbow joints and pain that occurs in the morning. Occasionally the ankle joint and the ball of the foot may swell. Sometimes we consider joint deformation, typical of rheumatic diseases, to be swelling. It happens that after getting out of bed we have the so-called morning stiffness - the hands are so swollen that it is difficult to curl them into fists. Then a visit to the doctor is necessary.
Edema as a reaction to medication
The body can become swollen if we take medications that retain water and s alt, or medications that reduce the permeability of capillaries. These include: hormones (corticosteroids, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for high blood pressure (especially calcium channel blockers). Local swellings may be an allergic reaction to a drug component.
Swelling through contact with toxins
Puffiness around the eyes may be caused by inhaling substances contained in powders and liquids used in households. Usually this is not an allergic reaction, but an immune system response to contact with toxins. Cold compresses on the eyelids give relief. Bags under the eyes are also formed when the body's self-cleaning function, including water removal, is impaired, or when it is too hot in the bedroom all night.
Edema - other causes
- pressure on the veins from the outside - e.g. by a tumor or pregnant uterus. These are painless, slowly increasing swelling. In the case of compression of the tumor by the superior vena cava tumor, usually the face is swollen, the jugular veins are widened and the venous pulse is absent over the place of the vein blockage
- pressure - blood flows to the constantly compressed soft tissues covering the bones. There is a slight swelling at the pressure point. Swelling increasesthe skin becomes overly sensitive. When the epidermis is rubbed, serous fluid begins to ooze from it. If the affected area is still under pressure, the skin tissues slowly die off. They die, separate from the he althy ones and lead to an ulcerative defect (erosions). This is how bedsores develop. This process progresses quickly and deeper tissues begin to die, e.g. muscles, tendons, sometimes the periosteum and the bones themselves
- prolonged disorders of the muscle pump above the veins of the limbs - lying patient. Painless, symmetrical swellings appear
- angioedema (allergic, idiopathic, hereditary) - the swelling appears suddenly, is limited, asymmetrical, pink or skin-colored
- soft tissue infection (e.g. cellulitis, necrosis, fasciitis) - in cellulitis, the swelling is usually redder, painful and tender than in deep vein thrombosis
Generalized edema most often occurs as a result of:
- heart failure
- liver failure
- kidney diseases (especially nephrotic syndrome)
Peripheral edema is most often associated with:
- deep vein thrombosis or obstruction of other veins (e.g. by a tumor)
- contamination
- angioedema
- clogging of lymphatic vessels
"Zdrowie" monthly